High speed, high resolution capable optical delay line for imaging transient biological function with optical coherence tomography

Summary form only given. We have developed a polygonal scanner based optical delay line that allows for potentially higher axial scan speeds than traditional linear or resonant galvanometers while supporting higher bandwidths. This type of delay line is based on designs used for signal autocorrelation measurement and demonstrated for OCT. In this type of optical delay line, a grating dispersed spectrum is focused onto a planar mirror with a controllable tilt angle. Implementation will be demonstrated by the in vivo OCT imaging of Xenopus laevis (African frog) tadpole cardiac function. This optical delay line has broad applicability in the fields of medicine and biology where both high resolution and high speed OCT are required.